Has God Given You Over?

PRAY OVER THIS

“And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting.” Romans 1:28

 

PONDER THIS

Three times in the first chapter of Romans, God speaks of giving people up: “God gave them up” (Romans 1:24); “God gave them up” (Romans 1:26); and “God gave them over” (Romans 1:28). The old‑time preachers used to call that, “When the lights go out on the road to Hell.” This is when the Holy Spirit of God no longer speaks to a man. In Genesis 6:3, God said before the flood, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever.” Don’t get the idea that the Holy Spirit’s conviction is going to stay in your heart and in your life if you continually reject Him. You may come to a place of sudden destruction in your spirit as well as in your mind, a place in which the Holy Spirit of God no longer speaks to you and God no longer draws you. God has given us this warning in advance as a means of His grace. We must respond while we can.

The idea of God giving us over to ourselves should give us fear, but that fear has a purpose. What is the goal of this godly fear?

What is the role of those who know Christ in warning others to listen to God’s conviction while they can?

PRACTICE THIS

Ask God today who He is calling you to speak with about the offer of His forgiveness. Ask Him for wisdom and next steps in obedience in this regard.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers